Follow-up: What is Wi-Fi Calling and Why Would I Want It?

This is an update to the information given in my earlier article, What is Wi-Fi Calling and Why Would I Want It?, at http://goo.gl/RvQkHt.

In the article, I described Google’s Project Fi and how it could make cell phone calls over several different cell phone networks as well as over wi-fi networks, even switching connections in the middle of a call, if necessary. I stated “Phones for Google Project Fi are all expensive (check the latest prices as they vary often), but they are all high-end phones with the latest technology. I am using a Nexus 6P phone with Google Project Fi and love it.” In fact, Project Fi only worked on Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P phones.

Today, Google announced that the feature is coming to all Nexus cell phone users. It will no longer be limited to only the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P phones.

Wi-Fi Assistant, as the feature’s called, can automatically detect when you’re near an open Wi-Fi network that’s trusted and automatically connect you, even if you haven’t set it up yourself. It’s a handy way to avoid relying on your cell network’s coverage, or running up extra data charges.

iPhones have been doing this since the release of iOS 8 nearly two years ago. At the time, I was able to return a mini cell tower back to AT&T. Most users don’t even realize it’s happening unless they investigate why their usage hours have decreased when they are still using their phone just as much.

He has been involved in genealogy for more than 35 years. He
has worked in the computer industry for more than 40 years in hardware,
software, and managerial positions. By the early 1970s, Dick was already
using a mainframe computer to enter his family data on punch cards. He
built his first home computer in 1980.